Our expat sites

Moving Abroad

The recession has brought about a lot of chaos in the financial and economic world, but travel is one of the few sectors that can increase revenue worldwide. So many countries have been hit hard by recession and inflation rates that they are on a huge budget, dropping prices everywhere; Iceland has decent hotels running from $60 a night. This is extremely low considering previous rates for similar hotels in Europe. Rates all over the world have dropped, making this an ideal time to travel the world; additionally, many of us have been laid off recently, so why not make a dent in the economy and travel while you’re at it. (More)

Malaysia
is a tropical paradise – sunny days, warm evenings, sandy beaches and an easy
lifestyle – all at a very affordable price. And to make it even more
attractive, the government has introduced the Malaysia My Second Home
programme. Commonly known as the MM2H programme, this is an international
residency scheme that allows foreigners to live in the country on a multiple
entry visa that can be renewed every ten years. (More)

As of June 1, IATA (International Air Transport Association) will no longer supply paper ticket stock to 60,000 travel agencies in 125 countries around the world. OK, most of you frequent traveller think already that paper airline tickets are past (for example, British Airways issued 790,000 airline tickets in March, of which 8,000 were paper), but in many other countries it is quite frequent, especially for long distance including different itinary and flights. Now the rules will be that you can just register with your passport (registration number might be requested, but not necessary).

In the urge of reducing costs everywhere, from baggage allowance to food on board, the elimination of paper airline tickets stands to reduce airline costs by as much as €2 billion worldwide and cut the cost of issuing a ticket from €6 to less than €1, according to Bryan Wilson of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Whereas in June 2004, only 18% of tickets issued were e-tickets, by the end of March2008, the number had risen to 94%. (More)

If you ask frequent travellers going to or departing from London what is their biggest advice, they will often answer: avoid Heathrow. The UK main hub, one of the busiest airport in the world, has had a long reputation for its problems, delays, congestion, baggage lost and unfriendly for most passengers. However a big hope was lifted a few month ago by the opening of the new Terminal 5 on March, 27, dedicated to British Airways sole occupier of the new building. The result was a shameful fiasco with tens of thousands of baggage lost and the nightmare for travellers lasting days as BA and the airport owner BAA were trying to restablish the situation. (More)

Last time I was in Dubai, my return plane to UK was cancelled. Bad luck, but the company was not willing to offer any help better than "come back in 2 days" [1]. There are protective rules for passengers who suffer such uncomfortable situation. Unfortunately it depends whether you are flying in Europe, US or the rest of the world.

In Europe, the European Union Air Passenger Rights rules for delayed and cancel flights apply to all passengers with a confirmed reservation for any flight taking off from any EU airport or flying to a European airport on a EU member's plane company.

Passengers who are delayed for more than 5 hours may request a refund of their ticket and free accommodation, but only if they decide not to travel. In case of cancellation, you are entitled to compensation of € 125 for short flights to € 600 for long flights, and have the choice of rerouting or refund, plus meals, refreshments, 2 phone calls. (More)

We were talking about the rules put in place for air travelling in Europe after the terrorist attempt in Heathrow airport 2 years ago and the paranoid feeling that was spread in England on the behalf of the feel scared factor "feel good factor". There was specific rules applying to passengers departing (the official rules say also entering... but my own experience showed me even travelling with a full bottle of water in my 2 hand luggage from Dubai to Gatwick airport) from UK airports (because everybody knows that terrorists won't be using any other airports) such as only allowed to carry ONE item of hand baggage, smaller than the normal European regulation. (More)

Australia is a nation of immigrants. 45% of Australians were born abroad or have one of their parent born abroad. From the 21 millions of inhabitants in the country today, 6.6 millions had arrived since October 1945, coming from 200 different countries, amongst them 10% from humanetarian programmes. In the period 2001-2006 755,000 immigrants arrived. And Australia will have added more than 150,000 in 2007.

Each year, the Australian government gives an immigration target, depending to the need in work force, without discrimination. In 2007, the country will have welcomed 102,000 immigrant workers with their family, 13,000 refugees and about 20,000 for family reunion.

Candidates to immigrate fill their demand on the Internet and calculate their points: they need 100 points to get a 3 year work visa.If the candidate is fluent in English 25 points; between 30 and 34 year old: 25 points; he is doctor (they lack them): 60 points; he's ok to work in the countrysideC 20 points ...
In order to become Australian you'll ned to pas a test of citizenship that requires to read a small book "Life in Australia" (similar to the test you have to pas to become British: all answers are in the book).

The day you become Australian, a ceremony takes place in the town hall. You will get an envelope with a little flag, two forms of the bending (choice between: in front of God, or to the nation), and the text of the national anthem that will be sang at the end. In addition each new citizen receive a certificate of nationality and get his/her photo taken with it.

Guide to the new rules for carry-on/hand baggage in European airports (EU+ Switzerland, Norway,...) from the 6th Nov. 2006

Liquids and liquid substances in your carry-on baggage must be packed in containers with a maximum capacity of 100 ml (1/10 litre)

You may pack more than one container, but no more than you can fit into a one-litre plastic bag

Authorities specify that the bag must be a ‘transparent, re-sealable
bag with a maximum capacity of one litre. The closing mechanism must be
an integral part of the bag. You may for instance use re-sealable
“freezer bags”, available from many major supermarkets.’

Get hold of a bag that meets the authorities’ requirements – and pack your liquid containers in this

At the airport, help is at hand

At the airport, signs, information flyers and airport staff will remind you of the new rules

In the initial period, bags will be available at the airport free
of charge, but please regard this as an option of last resort; the more
passengers packing correctly before they leave home, the quicker
passengers will be able to pass through security.

Be prepared at the security checkpoint

Have your bag of liquids ready for separate x-raying at the security checkpoint

Remove computers and other large electrical items from your carry-on baggage – such items must be x-rayed separately

Remove your coat at the security checkpoint. It too must be x-rayed separately

Duty-free: you can buy tax-free goods at the airport as usual

You can buy goods as usual beyond the security checkpoint

Articles bought at the airport beyond the security checkpoints
(including spirits, perfume and other liquids) are exempt from the new
rules

You can buy tax-free goods at the airport as usual, but please be
aware that your will receive your goods in a sealed bag, which must
remain sealed until your final destination

For passengers in transit from non
European countries, items bought in duty-free might be confiscated as
it is difficult to trace their origin.

through the airport security search point. This is the maximum bag size allowed through security.
Please note that other bags, such as handbags, may be carried WITHIN the single item of cabin baggage - not in addition.